Electric range



Jan. 16, 1923.

A. W. WALKER.

ELECTRIC RANGE.

FILED JUNE 2.19m.

3 SH EEYSSHEE] l.

d'ttorhqy Jan. 16, 1923.

'A. w. WALKER.

ELECTRIC RANGE.

men IUNE 2, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- 15706 r 10 7k 7? i Jan. 16, 1923.

I A. w. WALKER.

ELECTRIC RANGE.

3 $HEETSSHEE'I 3.

FILED JUNE 2,1921.

Patented Jan. 16, 1923.

PATENT orrice.

ARTHUR, W. WALKER, MALDEN, MASSACHUSETTS.

ELECTRIC RANGE.

Application filed June a, 1921. SerialNo. 474,338.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR W. lVALnEn,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Malden, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented cer-' tain new anduseful Improvements in Elec- 'tric Ranges, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electric stoves, ranges, heating and cooking devices and the like, and it aims to improve the current carrying and controlling apparatus of devices of this character and the supporting means for'such apparatus with a view to rendering the electrical connections more accessible, facilitating the making of repairs,-reducing the expense of manufacture, and generally improving the construction of such appara-.

tus from the standpoint both of the manufacturer and of the user. The invention will be herein disclosed as embodied in an electric range although not limited in its application to this particular use.

, In, all of the prior electric ranges" of which I have been able to learn, the switches, fuse receptacles andwiring are built into the range. Consequently, when any of these parts become broken or damaged it is a very difficult matter to repair them, and it isoften 30 necessary to send the entire rangeiback to the factory for repairs to some of these connections or parts. In many of these constructions even the simple matter of'replacing fuses is troublesome. It is the chief object of this invention, therefore, to devise a construction in which all parts of the current carrying and controlling apparatus shall be readily accessible, to make these parts readily removable, and to so organize this apparatus that under practically no circumstances will it be necessary to ship a range back to the factory for repairs'or replacement of these parts.

With these objects in view, especially important features of the invention reside in a new andimproved -construction of switch board and in a novel mounting of the switch board in the range. 1 The nature of the inventionr will be read ily understood from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying'drawings, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring now to the drawings, 7

Figure l is a plan view of a portion of an electric range;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the upper part, of a range showing certain features of this invention, part of the rail of the range being broken away stantially on the line 55, F ig. 2;

. Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 6-6, Fig. 2; and

Figs. 7 and 8 are cross sectional views' similar to Fig. 6 but on a smaller'scale and showing different positions into which the switchboard may be moved.

The drawings show a range, the greater part of which ma be constructed in any suitablemnanner. 'l h the top of the range .areieach'carriedby a e heating units 2-2 at plate 3 which fits into a depression formed in the frame ofthe stove, and these units,

and also the other heatingunits in thestove, v

are so supported that they can be lifted out or removed readily from the range.

' The range also includes the usual ornamental rail- 5 supported by lugs 6-6 that enter notches formed in cars 77, Fig. 1,-in

the stove. frame. This construction supports the'rail normally in the position shown in Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6,-but permits it to be swung upwardly, as indicated in-Figs. 3, 7 and 8. While the rail is in the latter position it may be lifted out if desired and removed from the stove. I g

In my preferred embodiment of the present invention the switch board is mounted immediately below the rail 5', and the, fuse plugs are positionedjust behind this rail so that normally they are concealed and shielded by the rail but access may be had to them simply by lifting the rail. For this purpose the frame of therange at opposite corners of the front side is formed with a boss or bracket 8 having an inclined face, as best shown in Fig. 5, and a switch (board carrying the current controlling devices is supported in these brackets;

This switch board consists of a rear plate 10, a front plate 12, and a series of switch units, each designated by the numeral 14, which are supported between the plates 10 and 12. Each of these units consists, in the construction shown, of a -combined switch and fuse base. or block of well known constriiction, each block carrying a switch,

in the present instance of the fourway type,

and also carrying a pair of removable fuse plugs 15. The switch is operated by a han- -"lle 16 and the four positions of each switch and the location of the heating unit controlled thereby are indicated b suitable lettering on the front plate 12. s best shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the rear platelO is of angular construction and the units It rest in this angular portion of the plate and they are secured rigidly to the plate by bolts 17-17, Fig. 4.

The rear plate 10 has a pivot lug 18 formed at each end thereof while the front plate 12 has a pivotlug 20 formed at each of its ends, and these two lugs at corresponding ends are shaped to fit together, as shown in Fig. 5. That is, the lug 18 issubstantially circular in cross section while the lug 20 is of a crescent shape and is of proper size to receive the lug 18 in its concave side. These lugs at ench end of the switch board are mounted in a socketwhich is formed partly in the bracket 8 and partly in a fitting 21 which is secured to the bracket by bolts 22.

i This construction thus enables the switch .board to swing from its normal position, as shown in F ig'. .6, into a forward position, as shown in Fig. 8, where it affords free access to the connections at the rear of the switch units 1 1.

For the purpose of securing the switch board in its normal position, the rear plate 10 has a lug 24: at each end thereof which strikes the bracket8 when the switch board is tipped back into its normal position and acts as a stop to limit the backward movement of the switch board. Pivoted on the bracket 8 at each side of the switch board is an arm or I latch 25 which normally overlies the'lug 24, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5, and thus locks the switch board securely in its normal position. These latches, however, can be swung upwardly, as shown in Fig.3, into a position clear of the lugs 24-24:, thus permitting the switch board to be swung into its forward position, as previously described.

The' mounting of the switch board, as above described, not only permits it to be moved as a unitinto and out of its normal position, but it also permits a relative swinging movement of the front and rear plates 10 and 12. That is, the switch handles 16,

each of which is.secured by a screw 26 to a;

switch post 2?, may be removed, and'the front plate may then be swung forward into the positlon n which it is shown in Fig. 7

where it exposes the front faces of the entire set of switches. A stop lug 28, Figs. 6 and 7, projects inwardly from the front plate 12 at each end thereof and engages the lug 24 on the irear' plate thus limiting the movement of the front plate toward its companion plate. For the purpose of centering the two plates relatively to each other, the rear plate 10 is provided with a lug 30, Fig. 2, which fits into a corresponding recess formed in the front plate when the two parts are in their proper longitudinal relationship.

It will be seen from an inspect-ion of Figs. 4 and 6 that the units 14 are grooved in their rearward surfaces to receive conductors 31 which run to connections leading to the contacts and receptacles for the switches and fuses. In this instance three such conductors are used and these conductors are all connected by a bus 32 at the left-hand end of the switch board, this bus carrying posts 33 to which the supply leads may be soldered. Additional conductors 34, Fig. 4, lead from the back of each switch unit to the respective heating units of the range, the conductors going to each unit being united to form a cable. Suflicient flexibility is provided in these connections to enable the switch board to be swung in the manner above described without disturbingthe electrical connections between the switch board and the heating units.

It will now be appreciated that the mak- 1 ing of ordinary repairs is greatly facilitated by this construction. In case a fuse blows it is simply necessary to lift the rail 5 into the position shown in F igs. 3, 7 and 8, remove the burnt out fuse plug and replace it by a new one. If some of the connections at the rear of the switch board become loosened, broken, or burnt off, the nature of the difficulty can be readily ascertained by swinging the switch board forward into the position shown in Fig. 8, all the connections at the back of the board being exposed when it is in this positionl ()u the other hand, if trouble occurs in the switches themselves the front plate l2 may he swung-down into the position shown in Fig. 7, thus exposing these parts of the apparatus. v

Occasionally it may happen that very expurpose the switch board is so mounted that it may be easily removed from the range as a unit. This is accomplished by swinging the entire switch board forward into the position shown in Fig. 8 and then moving it endwise in either direction farenough to disengage the lugs 18 and 20 from their socket at one side' of the range. When this disengagement has been effected this end of the switch board can be swung out far enough to clear the part 21 so that the lugs 18 and 20 at the opposite end of the switch board can he slipped out of their socket.

*of this connector, and another cable 36 leads from this second connector member to the heating unit. Various makes of connectors or" this general type can be used for this purpose; The switch board, connecting plugs and wiring thus form a complete portable unit independent of the range vitself. When the connectors have been separatedand the switch board removed from the range, the entire switch board can, be

shipped back to the factory if that should be necessary. This obviously is a tarmore satisfactory proceeding than shipping back the entire range, particularly since the damaged switch board may be replaced immediately with'a new one so that the use of the range is not interrupted.

- It will zalso be observed that this arrangement permits the breaking of the con-. nections between the switch board and any of the heating units in case it becomes necessary to remove one of these units from the range. The ability to remove the switch board or any of the heating units is especially desirable when extensive repairs are necessary.

. While I have herein shown and described the best embodiment of the invention of which I am at present aware, it will be understood that this embodiment may be modified in many particulars without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention. In fact, many features of the design necessarily will be controlled by the the combination of one or more heating des i n and character of the stove, range, orsimi ar article on which the switch board is used. What is claimed as new is: 1. In a device of the character described,

units,'a switch board removably supported in the device, and conductors connecting switch board. I

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of one or more heating units, a switch board removably supported in said device, and conductors connecting said units with said switch board, said! conductors including separable connectors whereby said switch board'with the parts of the conductors secured thereto may be removed from said device as a unit.

4. In an electric range,the combination of one or more heating units, a switch board removably supported in the range, and conductors connecting said units with said switch board, said conductors including separable connectors, whereby said connectors.

may be separated and the switch board moved fromthe range.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination of one or; more heating units, and a switch board supported in said device for movement into a position aifording access to the connections at the rear of" said switch board.

6. In an electric range, a switch board controlling the flow of current to the heating units of the range, and means supporting said switch board for swinging movement relatively to said range into a position to expose the electrical connections at the rear of the switch board.

7. In an electric range, a switch board controlling the flow of current to the heating units of the range, means supporting said-switch board for movement relatively to said range into a position to expose the electrical connections at the rear of theswitch board, and means for securing said switch board in its normal position.

8. In an electric range, a switch board erning the supply of current to the heating units of the range, means supporting said switch board for pivotal movement into a position to expose the connections at the rear of the switch board, and latch mechanism for holding said switch board in its normal position.

9. In an electric range having a movable rail, the combination of heating units, and

160 having current controlling devices for govmeans for controlling the flow of current to said heating units, said means including fuses located immediately behind said rail.

10. In an electric range having a movable rail, the combination of heating units, and means for controlling the flow of current to said heating units, said means including fuse blocks having removable fuses therein locatedimmediately behind said: rail.

11. In an electric range having a movable rail, a switch board locatedv immediately below said rail, said switch board including fuse blocks having removable fuses therein located immediately behind said rail,

12. In a device of the character described, the combination of a plurality of switch units, and a holder in which said units are mounted, said holder including partsv mov-! I able to expose said units and their connections.

18. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a plurality of switch -units, a holder in which said units are .mounted, and means supporting said holder said units are mounted, and means supportmovement.

ing said plates for swinging movement about substantially the same axis.

' 16. In a device of the character described, the combination of a plurality of switch units, front and rear plates between which "the combination of a plurality of switch said units are mounted, and means supporting said plates for independent pivotal 17. In a. device of the character described, the combination of one or more heating units, and a switch board supported in said device forniovement into a position affording access to the back f said switch board while maintaining the electrical connections with said units substantially undisturbed.

18. In a device of the character described, the combination of one or more switch units, front and rear plates between whichsaid units are mounted, said plates and units of heating units and a movable rail, a switch movement out of its normal position to ex-.

pose the electrical connections thereon.

20. In an electric range having a plurality of heating units and a movable rail,.a switch board located below said rail and comprising a plurality of switch units, front and rear plates between which said units are mounted, means supporting said plates for swinging movement into and out of their normal positions, and means for holding said plates in their normal positions, said switch units including fuses located immediately under the rail where they are protected by the-rail.

21 In'a device of the character described,

units, front and rear plates between which said units are mounted, one at'least of said plates being of angular cross section where by'it supports an end and one face of each of said units, said units and plates forming a switch board, and means supporting said switch board for movement into and out of its normal position in said device.

22. In a 'device of the character described, a" switch board comprising a plurality of switch units, "front and rear plates between which said units are mounted, each of said plates being of angular cross section and the units being secured to said rear plate, means for holding" said front late in itsnormal position relativelyto sai units but enabling it to be moved out of said position, and means for-supporting said switch board in said device for movement into and out 'of its normal position. A

ARTHUR W. WALKER. 

